Need VGA recomendation..

[phil178821]

So after some serious system failures I have determined that my VGA is damaged. Best of all, since I took more than 30days to register my original card, I do not have the lifetime warranty.

So I need a new card. I am upgrading from my 8800GTS 640mb. I do not need, nor do i want to pay for, top of the line. I like to periodically game and I do like it to look good. That said, I do NOT need to run crysis at the highest settings. The EVGA rep recommended a GTS250. That sound good?

I would also think to go with EVGA again since they have the lifetime warranty.

As well, I am open to ATI if you guys recommend it.

Thanks,
Phil

how about THIS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434) card? it seems liek a good deal with the MIR. Could ATI card be a better deal? I am not sure how they compare.

[mxthunder]

The card you linked would be a GREAT upgrade from what you had. The gts250 would be a nice, but smaller upgrade. Thats a pretty good deal with the rebate from newegg.

[phil178821]

Thanks for the reply. My 8800GTS wasn't too bad though, still was able to clock the A3 core up to 700+ which made medium crysis bearable.

[mxthunder]

Thats a decent OC depending on how high you clocked the shaders, thats where the real performance gain will be seen in crysis and folding. I have the G92 GTS and it has a good set of legs on it for crysis.

[EarthDog]

Get the best you can afford. The GTX260 216 will make Crysis look pretty, dont worry.

[phil178821]

thanks guys,

now also, I just was able to get my card working so that I am booting and everything functions fine; however, it will artifact as soon as i stress test. That said, I can continue to use the card for now if there is something worth waiting for. Is there or should I go for that GTX260?

[EarthDog]

Depends on how long you want to wait as there is always something better around the corner. ATI's 5770 is a nice choice for the same price as the GTX260 216 right now. Nvidia wont have anything on the table for a couple months yet.

[phil178821]

And of course newegg listed the rebate wrong or the card I linked above. It is actually only 10$, but still a seemingly good deal.

Do you guys recommend a brand besides EVGA? I always liked them because of the good support and warranty, but I am not sure if other brands offer similar services..

[phil178821]

So I think I am set on a GTX 260.
Here are some of the cards. I care less about comparing there clocks since I will OC on water once I have it.

EVGA (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434) $189.99-10.00MIR, Lifetime Warranty

ASUS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121337) $169.99-20.00MIR, 3 YR Warranty

Gigabyte (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125291) $179.99-30.00MIR, 3 YR Warranty

BFG (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143189) $179.00-20MIR, Lifetime Warranty

[EarthDog]

Did you look into the 5770?

[phil178821]

perusing right now.. do you know if changing cooling on the card voids a BFG warranty?

UPDATE: So looking at newegg, it appears the GTX 260 has better deals

one more card;

XFX (XFX GX260XADJC GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail) $179.99, Lifetime Warranty,

I feel like this narrows down to who has the best quality, service and warranty; Any impressions?

[EarthDog]

5770 is a bit more futureproof with DX11, uses less power so less heat, etc. I would pay the extra $10 for it.

[phil178821]

hmm.. didnt know that.. I will look into it more later after class. Thanks!

Anyone know if BFG and XFX lifetime warranty are voided by OCing and changing cooler?

[EarthDog]

Not sure. You can look them up quicker than you may get a response...

[phil178821]

Not sure. You can look them up quicker than you may get a response...

yeah, i looked them up but it didnt seem definitive. I think BFG said no to OC but nothing about changing the cooling. XFX I dont think mentioned either.

So one thing I always heard about AMD architecture is that gpu only blocks don't work well since the components on the card get too hot and individual sinks and air do not suffice. That said, I would have to spend $XX-XXX on a full coverage block, if it is infact true.

[phil178821]

so looking at it.. it seems to be between the XFX 5770 and the BFG GTX260.

It looks like the HD5770 is +$20 with slightly worse perfromance but with the DX11 capability..

The only other concern to impact it would be ease of wcing.

[EarthDog]

Slightly worse?

[phil178821]

Maybe I am wrong; I thought the 5770 performed slightly worse than the GTX260.

[EarthDog]

Im not sure either... I thought it performed a bit better... I would look at some reviews to confirm

In the meantime, here is one to chew on: http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/powercolor_hd5770/5.htm

you are going to see that about 80% of the time, the HD5770 was able to give the GTX260 a run for its money. I was surprised when I was able to get the core to clock all the way up to 950MHz and the memory to clock all the way up to 1400MHz! With all of this performance priced under $160 at release, which is about $30 cheaper than a majority of the GTX260 cards that are still for sale on Newegg.com, you are going to be able to see exactly how well ATI has planned not only the release of the card but also how much time and effort the company has put into the development of the card.

I think it is about the same or a hair slowe, you are right.

[phil178821]

I really think the difference is negligible. So two main questions;

1) I am not convinced this card will be able to even play DX11 games come out.
2)If i went this route, can you recommend any brands.

Saphire, XFX, Gigabyte, HIS, ASUS, Powercooler, MSI.

The only pro i know off the bat is the XFX has a lifetime warranty, but it is $15 more.

[EarthDog]

Well, this isnt like the move from DX9 to DX10. DX11 will actually have performance improvements over DX10.

It depends on your upgrade cycle really. If you will be fine for a year or two with a DX10 card, go for it.

[phil178821]

Thanks earthdog, Any preference in brands?

[EarthDog]

Only EVGA, XFX, and BFG are my preferred.... Just look at their warranty and terms to dtermine what is best for your needs. :)

[phil178821]

Only EVGA, XFX, and BFG are my preferred.... Just look at their warranty and terms to dtermine what is best for your needs. :)

Do you know when we can start to expect DX11 games? I havent paid much attention recently...

[EarthDog]

No clue... I would suspect begining 2010. Wiki/Google probably has something on it if you want to search. ;)

[phil178821]

No clue... I would suspect begining 2010. Wiki/Google probably has something on it if you want to search. ;)

thanks; yeah i know I am asking questions that I could research but I am really pressed for time so figured I might try asking first. Thanks for the patience! lol:)

[EarthDog]

No problem. If I had the time to do it, I wouldnt be suggesting it either. :)

[phil178821]

so I am trying to get a feel on the release of the DX11 Nvidia card's release date. From what I can see it is looking like end of the '09 for high end and beginning of '10 for the rest.

Maybe if I wait another month, I will be able to do an EVGA step up...

[phil178821]

so what are we thinking.. EVGA GTX260 w/ plans on DX11 step up.. or just an HD5770 right now?

pros for the GTX are that I can use my MCW60.

I think this BFG card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143189&cm_re=gtx_260-_-14-143-189-_-Product) is the winner..

decided because of good customer service, warranty, price and 100 day trade up program.

[phil178821]

ah damn i only have 32A on the 12V rail..
UPDATE: cancel that, I forgot, I have 36A. :)

[EarthDog]

Dont add up the rails...!

What model PSU do you have?

[phil178821]

Earthdog, Not sure if you deleted for your reply got lost, but I saw it in the email.

Don't worry, I am not adding up the rails. I just forgot that my PSUs were 36 and not 32. I know its P/V=I.

I have an Ultra X3 600W, which is 36A and an Enermax Liberty 620W, which is 36A as well.

Anyways, thanks a lot for all of your help in this process.

Update: guesse it wasnt lost, didn't realize we went to page two. lol, long week and I am tired.